Waltham Forest Fashion

Waltham Forest Fashion is a vibrant and inclusive network uniting fashion creatives, entrepreneurs, and enthusiasts from across the borough and beyond. We are dedicated to fostering innovation, sustainability, and collaboration within the local fashion community.

In partnership with Fashion District, an initiative led by the London College of Fashion, we aim to:

• Nurture talent: Empower emerging and established fashion creatives through skills development, mentorship, and opportunities for growth.
• Drive sustainability: Champion eco-conscious practices and circular business models to create a more sustainable fashion future.
• Transform communities: Create new green jobs and contribute to economic and social transformation in East London and beyond.
• Identify skills gaps: Collaborate with local businesses and educational institutions to pinpoint skills shortages and design apprenticeship programs that fill these gaps, equipping the next generation of talent.

Our work is already making a significant impact:

Facilitating Collaboration and Conversations

• Hosted engaging round tables and networking events, bringing together a diverse range of local businesses, industry leaders, and sustainability experts.
• Encouraged meaningful discussions around sustainability, green practices, and the future of fashion.

Building a Community Online

• Grown a social media community of 4,000+ followers, showcasing local SMEs, amplifying sustainability champions, and promoting community events.
• Highlighted the stories of local businesses and pioneers who are redefining the fashion landscape.

Supporting Repair and Circular Fashion

• Sourced talented local sewing and mending experts for Waltham Forest’s first Reuse and Repair Fair, empowering individuals to extend the life of their clothing.
• Established regular repair events for council staff, showcasing local mending experts and their skills during Repair Week.
• Given a spotlight to circular fashion practices, including vintage, pre-loved, rental, and upcycled fashion.

Championing Wellbeing Through Fashion

• Created a comprehensive directory of social sewing groups in the borough to support social prescribing, connecting residents with creative communities and fostering wellbeing through shared creativity.

Are you a fashion creative, business, or enthusiast in Waltham Forest? We're always looking to collaborate with local talent and enterprises to shape the future of sustainable and inclusive fashion in our borough.

By getting involved, you can:

• Connect with a vibrant network of fashion professionals and sustainability pioneers.
• Participate in events, workshops, and networking opportunities.
• Showcase your business on our growing platform with over 4,000 followers.
• Contribute to meaningful initiatives like skills development, circular fashion, and repair fairs.

Whether you're a designer, mender, retailer, or community group, we want to hear from you!

Follow us on Instagram: @walthamforestfashion

Or email us at business.growth@walthamforest.gov.uk

Let’s work together to champion creativity, sustainability, and innovation in Waltham Forest!